Chapter 234 Restoring Identity
Cheng Weiyao took the women of her family to a nearby clothing store. Firstly, they wanted to boost sales and keep the profits within their own pockets. Secondly, they were about to return to the capital and would inevitably have to greet the emperor, so they had to dress in the proper manner.
Otherwise, you may be charged with disrespecting the emperor.
Furthermore, even if the family of Prince Qingping's Mansion was not truly exiled from the beginning, she was well aware of the fragility of human nature, and it was hard to say that there were people who were blind and looked down on them.
"Sister-in-law, did we make some money this month? Why are we suddenly buying so much?"
Wen Liyu looked at the batches of glittering and colorful cloth, and felt a little tempted. However, she had learned a lot during her time on the Path of Exile, so she no longer cared as much about appearances as before.
"You're ready to turn your life around. Shouldn't you dress better when you go to the capital? After all, you're a princess of the current dynasty, a woman worth a fortune. And your mother is the Imperial Consort, a woman of great elegance and grace. It's only natural that you dress a little better..."
Cheng Weiyao's words were cryptic, but Wen Liyu, as clever as she was, understood the hidden meaning. Her brother and sister-in-law had always been smarter than she was. It seemed that the emperor's anger had finally subsided, so they had been summoned back to the capital.
After confirming that they had enough money, Wen Liyu stepped up her efforts and took the imperial concubine and the concubine on a shopping spree. She wanted the best materials for the clothes, and had the on-site craftsmen take measurements and tailor the clothes... Everything was filled with joy.
Wen Chengfeng began to close the net in full swing. At the morning court, the first imperial edict announced was about Sun Youcai's substitution of inferior rice for good ones.
"The Emperor, by the grace of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: Since ascending the throne, I have governed the country with filial piety and have extended great grace to the ancestral temples. I have obeyed orders to build these temples, strengthening my family and the country. However, the Minister of Revenue, Sun Youcai, has neglected his duties and abused his power for personal gain... In consideration of his timely repentance, I hereby fine him one year's salary, and the confiscations he has embezzled will be deposited into the national treasury as a warning to others!"
Jiang Dehai's voice when he announced the decree was high and sharp, which made Sun Youcai's heart as nervous as if he was on a roller coaster. Fortunately, the final result was a smooth landing.
"Long live the Emperor! Thank you for your great kindness! I will take this as a warning and will never forget it!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Youcai hurriedly kowtowed to express his gratitude, fearing that Wen Chengfeng would change his mind and behead him on the spot. He no longer cared whether the other ministers around him looked at him with contempt or congratulated him for escaping death. The cold sweat on his back had already soaked his inner clothes.
The other court officials exchanged glances, almost all lamenting Sun Youcai's good fortune and Wen Chengfeng's kindness. For previous emperors, the punishment would have been minimal, if not confiscating all their property and exiling them a thousand miles away.
"Master Sun, please join us."
Jiang Dehai put away the imperial edict. Standing close, he could see the changes in everyone's eyes. The emperor seemed merciful, not changing Sun Youcai's position, but in reality, it was a warning. Because the revelation would make Sun Youcai more honest, and by the way, it could also lure out other related forces, killing two birds with one stone.
The second imperial edict was about the previously exiled family of Prince Qingping who made an indelible contribution in exposing Liao Yu’s corruption case. Therefore, their status was restored and they were recalled to the capital to be re-employed.
When this imperial decree was issued, the entire palace was in uproar. When Wen Chengyun was stripped of his imperial status and expelled in anger, most people present chose to look on with indifference.
Especially the Duke's Mansion, which had a previous engagement with Wen Chengyun, had even opted for a replacement marriage to avoid betting on the wrong woman. Now, the truth had been revealed: it was all a play put on by the royal father and son to uncover corruption.
"this……"
Duke Cheng was stunned by the sudden news. He held his forehead, feeling shaky and regretful. He shouldn't have listened to women and been so easily deceived. If his daughter Cheng Weining had married him, and had fallen in love with Wen Chengyun over time, the Duke's Mansion would surely have been even more powerful upon his return.
It’s a pity that there is no medicine for regret in this world. Think about how stubborn Cheng Weiyao was when she got married. It seems like an evil star has returned!
"It seems our old Duke is unwell. Today's morning court session ends here. Please adjourn."
Wen Chengfeng admired Duke Cheng's expression with amusement for a moment, then waved his hand and prepared to leave the court. It would take some time for the imperial edict to be read and distributed, and he couldn't wait to see everyone at Prince Qingping's mansion.
With the news that everyone from the Prince of Qingping's Mansion had returned to Beijing, Jiang Nantian was also released from the Kyoto prison. When Jiang Dehai read the imperial edict, his beard couldn't help but tremble.
"Grandmaster, please get up quickly. The ground is very cold, and you're not recovered yet. The emperor didn't make a public announcement this time. Although it was due to the joyous return of Prince Qingping, it was mainly out of consideration for your reputation. I hope you won't act on your own in the future..."
What he said was that the situation he had painstakingly set up on the border was completely shattered by Wen Chengyun, and in the end he had to rely on this troublemaker to get out of prison. So he should thank him, right?
Besides, is the emperor doing this to save his own face? Isn't it because he feels sorry for Jiang Mengyuan? In addition, he has many students all over the world, and if he rashly dismisses her without sufficient evidence, it may cause criticism.
The emperor had taken all the credit, and he still expected Jiang Nantian to be grateful... The more dissatisfied Jiang Nantian was inside, the more indifferent his expression was. He even smiled and said thank you for your hard work when he walked out of the prison.
The first thing he did after returning to his mansion was to check every aspect of his residence. Although there were signs of slight movement of things in the house, it was obviously not the result of a rough search by the yamen runners.
"Humph, you are indeed a cunning person, actually deceiving me!"
Jiang Nantian snorted coldly and immediately stopped his search. Since it was confirmed that it wasn't someone from the government, it meant that Wen Chengyun simply didn't have enough evidence. If he let him out so easily, he might have someone secretly watching him, waiting for him to reveal crucial evidence during his investigation.
After figuring this out, Jiang Nantian poured himself a cup slowly, picked up the pen and started writing the half of the calligraphy that he had not finished before.
Jiang Mengyuan and Concubine Sun also received orders from Wen Chengfeng after the morning court. Because of the related crimes, Concubine Sun's salary was confiscated, and her name card was removed for half a year as a warning to others.
Jiang Mengyuan, who was the queen, ordered her not to leave the palace, which was considered a small punishment but a big warning.
Both women breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully accepted the order and expressed their gratitude.
For Concubine Sun, removing the nameplate meant returning to her previous life. Living with the emperor was like living with a tiger. She was too lazy to spend time thinking about the emperor's affairs. It was already difficult for her to be alive.
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